The mansion was unusually quiet the following morning. Lila sat on the side of her bed, her thoughts racing as she kept thinking about what had happened the night before. She had attempted to flee. She had not succeeded. Even worse, whether she wanted it or not, she had been dragged back into Alexander's world.
A reminder of his strength and the control he had over her, her wrist still ached where his fingers had held her. She shuddered from an unidentified feeling rather than from dread. It seemed as though she was uncontrollably drawn to him by something within of her. She detested it. But that attraction persisted despite her best efforts to resist.
She didn't know how long it had been since she'd seen him, but she knew that they would eventually have to face their relationship. The curse. The mating connection of fate. She was no longer able to ignore it.
The sound of footfall outside her door stopped her thoughts. She stood up fast, her hands perspiring as her heart skipped a beat. Did he do it?
A familiar person entered as the door creaked open. But it wasn't Alexander. A woman with short brown hair and a serious expression was one of the guards.
The woman's tone was bland as she stated, "You're requested in the Alpha's study." "Come along with me."
Lila's initial reaction was to resist and refuse. However, she was aware of its futility. If they had to, they would drag her. She chose to nod and accompany the guard out of her room rather than argue. The woman guided her toward a pair of double doors at the far end of the hall, past rooms she had previously only seen glimpses of.
The doors opened and Lila found herself in a spacious, luxurious room with a subtle scent of wood and leather. Shelves of ancient volumes that appeared to have been handed down through the ancestors dotted the walls. Alexander was seated at a huge desk in the middle of the room. His black eyes were fixed on something ahead of him, but he looked up as soon as he heard her footsteps.
His voice was surprisingly warm as he said, "Lila." "Enter. Take a seat.
Lila paused for a little second. She couldn't deny her curiosity. A part of her needed answers, needed to know why this was happening to her and why Alexander seemed to care, even though she wanted to run away. It wasn't typical. It wasn't. However, there's a chance that she might learn something useful.
In order to avoid coming across as totally distant, she moved across the room and took a seat in the chair across from him.
After giving her a thorough examination, Alexander resumed his conversation in a solemn tone. "You made an attempt to run last night."
Lila was a little guilty, but she didn't show it. "I had to give it a shot," she remarked. Alexander, I can't be here. No matter what this is, I can't accept it.
Slowly, as if anticipating her response, he nodded. "I get it. Furthermore, I won't make you stay here. However, before you make any judgments, I need you to comprehend something.
His eyes never left hers as he leaned forward a little. She couldn't take her eyes off of him, even if his intense gaze made her heart race.
"This cannot be avoided," he uttered quietly. "My fated mate is you. You can choose to be or not.
Lila felt a knot in her stomach. In response, she said, "I don't want this," her voice trembling. This world—your world—is not one I want to be a part of. I have no place here.
"You do belong here," he stated firmly. "I understand it's difficult to accept, but this is the reality. There is a curse. And despite your best efforts, it has become a part of you. The connection between us is something that cannot be severed.
Lila's thoughts were racing as she shook her head. However, I don't get it. Why me? Why is this curse? What am I supposed to do with it?
It appeared that Alexander faltered for the first time. As though preparing himself, he inhaled deeply. The curse started with my ancestors ages ago. A rival pack cursed my lineage, and there is still one. Every Alpha has a partner, and that mate is destined to pass away within a year. The purpose of this punishment is to prevent the Blackthorn line from ever experiencing peace.
With a look of incredulity on her face, Lila gazed at him. "You've... witnessed the deaths of every woman you've ever loved?"
Alexander took a while to respond. His jaw tensed as if the weight of what he had said were too much to bear, and he just turned away. His voice was hardly audible above a whisper as he added, "Every single one." "I've been alone for years because of the curse. Everything I've ever cared about has been ruined by it.
As Lila took in what he had said, her chest constricted. Legends and fairy tales had told her about curses, but this? This was not like the others. This actually happened. In a way that threatened to shatter everything she knew, it was also genuine.
"Why me?" Her voice was almost heard when she repeated the question. "Why am I experiencing this?"
For a brief time, Alexander's eyes softened, and it appeared as though he was seeing her as Lila rather than as his mate or as a victim of the curse. Only Lila.
"I'm not sure why you. I'm not sure why it's you in particular. But you are the key, I know this much," he said, his voice now steady. This curse can only be broken by you.
His comments caused Lila's thoughts to swirl, and she blinked. "What? How? What chance do I have to lift a centuries-old curse?
Alexander got up, walked around the desk, and stood next to her. She could feel the heat coming from his body because he was so near. She tensed up but did not yank away.
His voice was almost soothing as he said, "We don't know yet." However, you have a unique quality. Something I am unable to describe. Our relationship is more than simply a curse. It's not just that. And I think you can assist me in destroying it.
Something—fear? Hope?—sparked inside Lila's chest. Is it possible? Would she be able to assist him? Could she alter both her and his destiny?
"I'm not sure what you're asking me," she whispered softly as her gaze locked with his. "But I'm not able to do this by myself."
Alexander's expression tightened and his eyes darkened. "You won't be by yourself. I'll be by your side the entire time.
Lila inhaled deeply as she tried to take it all in. This was insane. However, Alexander's eyes and words conveyed to her that he wasn't lying. They were indeed tied by a curse, a bond, and a fate.
Furthermore, there was no going back.